DSU Board of Trustees Approves New Campus Master Plan

The DSU Board of Trustees has approved a new Campus Master Plan that will govern the physical growth of the University over the next 10-20 years.

 

The Campus Master Plan (CMP) was approved during the board’s March 20 regular quarterly meeting.

 

The newest CMP is designed to both address the University’s immediate needs while also outlining a set of long-term physical growth and existing building improvement recommendations in support of the University’s Mission Statement and Strategic Plan and consistent with the academic quality of the institution.

 

The CMP consists of: 1.) “Emerging Urgencies” building projects to be launched within the next five years; 2.) a Mid-Term Plan for building projects over the next 6-10 years; and 3.) a Long-Term Plan for the next 10-20 years.

 

One of the “Emerging Urgencies” has already begun with the start earlier this year of the construction of the first phase of the Optical Science Center for Applied Research (OSCAR) Building.

 

Also within the next five years, the CMP calls for the construction of a building that will house the University’s new Early College High School, as well as its Department of Education and its Health Services. Once this new building is complete, the University will then turn its attention to renovating the existing Education and Humanities Building.

 

The Mid-Term and Long-Term aspects of the CMP – encompassing the next 6-20 years – call for the construction of several new academic and department buildings, which would include labs and offices.

 

Dr. Claibourne D. Smith, chair of the DSU Board of Trustees, said that it is important to ensure DSU's facilities – current and future – are supported and maintained in order to carry out the University’s Mission Statement and Strategic Plan. As such, he said, the Campus Master Plan will be an essential tool to inform the decision-making by the board and the administration over the next two decades.

 

“This updated Campus Master Plan has input from all sectors of the University, including faculty, staff, students and the community,” Dr. Smith said. “Also, this plan is designed to be evergreen, making it flexible and subject to changing circumstances.”

 

DSU President Harry L. Williams noted that the growth of DSU is expected to continue.

 

“This must include provisions for the growth of the campus facilities,” Dr. Williams said. “This Campus Master Plan will guide us in infrastructure improvements that will accommodate the projected increases in enrollment, the new academic offerings that will be added, and the University’s commitment to enhance campus life and its educational experience.”

 

The CMP Executive Committee was chaired by Amir Mohammadi, executive vice president and University Treasurer. Serving with him on the Executive Committee were: